A Stolen Story... A Lesson from Visiting Teaching

This is a story that I found on a relative's blog. It was too horrorific not to share.

(Okay, I can't move the pictures. You'll just have to scroll around as you read)





A Lesson from Visiting Teaching

Did you know that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can get pen off of walls, rugs, showers, cabinets, doors, toilets, mirrors, and even out of tile grout? Neither did I. Well at least not until my visiting teachers came over yesterday. See Exhibts A-F below and the story to follow.

Exhibit A: Exhibit B:Exhibit C: Exhibit D:
Exhibit E: Exhibit F:

I wiped it off of the tile floors and glass surfaces (toilet, shower door, mirrors etc.) before I thought to take pictures so it was actually worse than the pictures, if you can believe it!One of my visiting teachers brought along her 2 year old daughter and proceeded to pay NO attention to her the entire visit. It was really quite uncomfortable. She was jumping on the couch and her mother said/did NOTHING. I used my awesome Aunt skills to coax her down with a toy, but you can't exactly yell at/boss around a strangers kid, can you?So while we were chatting, the little "Picasso" snuck away down the hall and the mother didn't go get her. When I realized that the little girl was gone, I went looking for her (note again, that it was ME, not her mom) I found the little girl pen in hand, Jose's desk drawer was "mysteriously" open, and ink was everywhere!!! What a disaster. So then I had to tattle on the little girl to her mother, who I've only even met like twice. The worst part is that the mom didn't even seem to feel that bad about it. I would have been sobbing if my child had done that. Let's just say that if they ever want to VT again, we're doing it at the park, or a restaurant. Not at my house (or my parent's house as the case may be).
But don't worry, you can all breathe a sigh of relief (especially you mom & dad)..... it ALL came off. Every last swipe of it! Above left is what my magic eraser looked like when it was done, and the right is what they look like out of the box (if you've never seen one). They truly work MIRACLES. "Yes Virginia, there is a Mr. Clean." Oh and here's a picture of the door from Exhibit B for proof.So what was the lesson, you ask?1. If you ever have to take your kids to anyone's house, watch them like a hawk. Or better yet, leave them at home with their dad or a sitter.2. Sometimes it is better to miss a visit than leave an everlasting mark of your visit. Trust me, I'll be telling this story at every VT workshop the rest of my life! HA!3. I never want to be that kind of mom.4. Mr. Clean is the PERFECT man. Not only is he extremely buff and macho, but he also really knows how to do housework! He's like your own personal Tony "Micelli" Danza!5. Mr. Clean is also an angel. Did you ever notice his heavenly glow on the box? I think his gold hoop earring is actually a small halo that fell off his head and landed on his ear.Sorry if you think I'm a rude-o. I was extremely nice, polite, and gracious to the mother -- just like my mom taught me to be. But I am human, I have rage, and I must blog.

A Little Piece of Sunshine

Today I was walking out of the grocery store thinking "Today is a terrific day!" Then I stopped to ask myself what was making me appreciate the moment. Here a few things that came to mind:

- I was at the store by myself. Yes, I am finally to that stage of life when I occasionally have morning to run errands by myself but it is still a new experience that I cherish it.



- It was sunny. Living in constant overcast and sprinkles make you feel like you have been given a gift to walk to the car in sunshine.



- I had on my new tennis shoes. I have been confined to tennis shoes since I hurt my ankle in July. I finally decided I deserved a new pair. My ankle thanked me.



- I had just been at school and been told that because of testing parents weren't allowed to volunteer for the next two weeks. Yea, another two free mornings all to myself. Maybe I will clean the house with no one interrupting. ( I know I dream big!)



- I had just spend five days with my family at the coast.



- After President Monson's talk, do you just feel like you have the best life any way!

Farm Breakfast

The preschool I sent the girls to has a Farm Breakfast during the preschool year. H had her's a few weeks ago. I was so hapy to go; I was sick for R's and JR went instead.

At the Farm Breakfast the kids start out by impressing us with their knowledge of animals.

- a baby goat is a kid

- milk comes from a cow

- a horse is pregnant for 286 days (Hello, they are 3and 4 years old and know that. I didn't know that.)

Then the kids sang some beautiful songs. My favorie was a song that went "When (fill in an animal) get up in the morning they always say helleo." The children got up in groups of about four kids and sang the different animal sounds. H was in the dog group. When it was time she sang, "ARF!" really loud. Unfortunately, the other kids sang "Woof". She quickly started to sing the correct dog song, but continued to sing it extra loud so people would know she knew what dogs say. Afterwards, she ran back to me and asked if I could hear her. "Oh, yes baby. I could hear you specifically."

Then we were served a deliciuos breakfast of biscuits, sausage, applesuace, milk and juice. I think H ate at least 6 links. She was starving. She refused to eat at home, because it was the Farm BREAKFAST. It was probably 9:45am before she ate.

It was so cute to see H so excited, she had waited for this day for weeks!

Weight Loss Wednesday

So, I took a couple weeks off. The first was so I could do the post for my mom. Then last week was because there was nothing to report.

Well, what can I say. I have been sick with sinus infections and then when I was finally feeling good enough to start exercising there was a mishap at a church activity and four chairs landed on my bad foot.

So, here is the update. I lost 7 lbs when I had the sinus infections. I have gained 4 back now that I have an appetite again. But, I am celebrating little achievements. I am proud of yesterday. We went to the dentist and they offer fresh cookies. I took one for each of the girls and I passed. Then we were running errands out by Krispy Kreme, I chose not to go for donuts even if the girls are on vacation. Yesterday it was so cold we wanted hot chocolate. I told myself that I could wait a little and see if I really wanted it. I was able to realize I would rather pass on the calories then have the hot chocolate.

Last night on Biggest Loser (Yes, I love that show) past winner Alli told a contestant to live in your success of today, and choose today to rededicate yourself to achieving your goal. I am going to follow that advice, EXCEPT for the yummy apples at Rocky Mt Chocolate Factory that I am going to have at the coast.

Since She put it out there...

This is an incident better related from another's point of view. Nicole, I copied and pasted.

This afternoon I got a phone call from my kids' school.
"Hi, Mrs. Jackson this is Mary Horn from Harmony "(the principle)
"I'm just calling to tell you about an incident with Brinley today at recess." I said "Brinley?" Yes! Well I guess that my cute little girl bit one of her friends on the playground when she cut her in line! How can this sweet face do such a thing especially to one of her BFF Rachel Z???I then said to Mrs. Horn "Wow, the principle found out about this?" She said "Yes, we take biting very seriously!" Well Brinley now has to stay inside from recess for the next two days. I told her that I would be speaking with her teacher and telling her to give her some chores to do maybe even clean the Kindergarten toilet!!! When I saw her after school I said, "I heard we had an incident at recess?" She said yes but don't tell DAD! I informed her that I already did and she started to cry! I just can't believe that of all my children she is the first and only one thus far that has visited the principles office and she's only in Kindergarten! I know she has a little fistieness(sp) about her, but biting? Tonight we walked over to Rachel's house with a card and a flower. Luckily best friends can forgive!

I received a phone call too. It was the school secretary to inform me that Rachel was in the health room, and let me know what happened on the playground. She asked if I would like to speak to the principal about it. "No thank you!" I know the principal quite well, and she is a dear woman. BUT Nicole and I could handle it from this point. Brinley already can't go on the playground for two days. After Brinley brought over the card and flower, Rachel wanted to do the same for Brinley. So, we have written the card. It says, "Brinley, I forgive you. Will you still be my friend forever and ever?" We are going to make cookies after school. I am glad that God gave little girls such forgiving hearts.

Not Raising Texans

The other day, E and I were talking. We had been studying the states for R's homework. E wanted to impress a friend with her new knowledge, but wanted to double check some information first. E asked,"Tanner is the capital of Texas, right?" I thought,"Tanner? Who has ever heard of Tanner, TX?" Then, I opened my mouth and said, "The capital of Texas isn't Tanner. It's Austin." The light bulb turned on. Tanner. Austin. Those are the names of the neighbor boys. E had remembered it was one of their names. She had just chosen the wrong boy.

Tonight, I told her that the capital of Nevada was Carson City. E said, "Yeah, right Mom." It took awhile to convince her I was serious. Carson is yet another brother. When E did believe me, she looked at me and asked, "Is McKenna the capital of some place too?" Not that I know of sweetheart.

Happy Birthday MOM!

Today is my Mom's birthday.

Victoria and Grandma

When I was little my mom hated telling us kids secrets because she said we would stand outside the grocery store yelling the information at the top of our lungs. I have grown up, but I haven't matured. I am going to post her age for the whole blog world to know.

Today my mom is...
My age + JR's age + E's age -R's age- H's age -1= Grandma Maggie


Grandma Maggie and the girls!